Ocean’s 11 Turns 25: Its Hotel Still Shines Like Clooney, Roberts, and Pitt Remember

Ocean’s 11 with Brad Pitt and George Clooney was filmed at the Bellagio in Las Vegas almost 25 years ago.

The opulent resort with its massive chandeliers and dancing fountains provided the perfect backdrop for the slick crime film that also starred Julia Roberts and Matt Damon.

And today the Italianesque palace is just as breathtaking as ever as it comes close to its Silver Anniversary.

One of the top highlights is the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens with 22,000 potted plants, shrubs and trees.

This summer it has as its theme Glam Menagerie: A Surrealist Summer, which is on view through September 6.

Created by designer Ed Libby and Bellagio’s Horticulture team, the ‘illusory experience’ transforms the Conservatory into a European garden party like no other, where baroque elegance meets ‘whimsical fantasy, and luxury collides with imagination,’ according to the Bellagio.

Another highlight is the O, Cirque du Soleil show and the ever-classic Spago restaurant which has a view of the festive fountains out front. 

Ocean’s 11 with Brad Pitt and George Clooney was filmed at the Bellagio in Las Vegas almost 25 years ago. The opulent resort with its massive chandeliers and dancing fountains provided the perfect backdrop for the slick crime film that also starred Julia Roberts

And today the Italianesque palace is just as breathtaking as ever as it comes close to its Silver Anniversary

The gardens are one of the first things guests see as they walk into the Bellagio lobby.

The exhibit blends dreamlike creativity with opulence, sweeping visitors into a world where the extraordinary reigns supreme. 

Here are the numbers: There is 125,000 pounds of ivy weaved throughout the display, 22,000 potted plants, shrubs and trees, 5,000: Square feet of boxwood sculpted into topiaries, 120 feet of live hedges throughout the display, 80 visionary artists, horticulturists and engineers collaborating to bring the summer display to life, 17 hanging lanterns illuminating the display, 4 flamingos in the East Bed, 2 Giraffes draped in moss standing at 22 feet tall and 1 grand marble chess board in the West Bed. 

Towering topiaries, couture animals and multi-sensory surprises dazzle and disorient, while intricate trompe-l’oeil illusions challenge perception at every turn. 

Throughout the display, surrealism takes shape in fanciful animal figures adorned in French Renaissance-inspired costuming, adding a whimsical flair to the escape from reality.

‘Designing the summer display was more than just creating a beautiful garden – it was about transporting guests into an extraordinary realm where nature and opulence intertwine, surreal art comes to life and elegance blooms with every step,’ said Libby.

 ‘Each element was chosen to challenge perception and celebrate luxury, imagination and the beauty of summertime.’

The exterior of the Bellagio with its impressive fountains on its large lake

Ocean’s 11 with, from left, Clooney, Pitt and Matt Damon from 2001

Pitt is seen here gambling inside the casino

Clooney wore a tuxedo with an undone bowtie as he played poker

West Bed The West Bed showcases a life-sized chessboard with moss-covered figures poised for a fantastical duel. 

On the left, a soaring archway crowned with the Bellagio ‘B’ welcomes guests into a fairytale garden, where an elegant pink cockatoo swings gracefully beneath. Inspired by Fragonard’s iconic painting ‘The Swing,’ the cockatoo brings a touch of 18th-century romance to the scene. To the right, a towering chess piece houses The Garden Table, where guests can indulge in a lavish Sadelle’s brunch. Overheard, grand chandeliers illuminate pink botanicals and oversized topiaries that fill the bed below.

In the North Bed, two topiary giraffe sisters are joined by Tigress Giovanna, gracefully perched on a swing and dressed in a striking black-and-white haute couture ensemble inspired by the high fashions of the French Renaissance. 

Nearby, two cherub fountains add a sense of gentle tranquility, while surrounding lavender, pink, blue and white flowers evoke the elegance of classic European gardens. LED screens filled with illusionary art brighten the bed from behind as a harmonious soundtrack and a delicate jasmine scent fill the air. Guests can bring home a piece of the Conservatory with a bespoke candle available for purchase at the Giardini Store.

One of the top highlights is the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens with 22,000 potted plants, shrubs and trees

This summer it has as its theme Glam Menagerie: A Surrealist Summer, which is on view through September 6

Created by designer Ed Libby and Bellagio’s Horticulture team, the ‘illusory experience’ transforms the Conservatory into a European garden party like no other, where baroque elegance meets ‘whimsical fantasy, and luxury collides with imagination,’ according to the Bellagio

A look at the fountains front the hotel

East Bed A captivating gazebo stands at the heart of the East Bed, where pedestal columns support a wrought iron dome adorned with pink and white blossoms. 

A flock of elegant flamingos wade in shimmering waters surrounding the structure, illuminated by antique-style lanterns embossed with the Bellagio ‘B’ hanging high above. Throughout the bed, lush topiaries and boxwood creations add allure within a landscape.

In the South Bed, zebras Sir Pierre and Lady Colette lounge amidst sculpted greenery. A pirouetting water feature pays tribute to the iconic Fountains of Bellagio, set beneath baroque chandeliers shimmering overhead. 

O by Cirque du Soleil at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. O by Cirque du Soleil is one of Vegas’ longest-running productions

Spago has a glorious view of the fountains; they now offer a prix fixe menu

There are several pools at the Bellagio; this is one of the smaller ones with a center fountain

Behind the bed, carefully detailed doors invite admiration, framed by an array of pastel botanicals and topiaries of geometric shapes.

Visitors are invited to embark on a one-of-a-kind culinary journey at The Garden Table, hosted within an opulent chess piece at the heart of the Bellagio Conservatory. 

Guests can experience an exclusive dining experience within the summer wonderland with brunch service from Sadelle’s at $125 per person and dinner from MICHAEL MINA Bellagio at $195 per person. 

Sustainability at the Conservatory Water used in Bellagio’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens comes from on-site underground wells that use rain and recycled water from the resort, avoiding the use of municipal potable water. 

The casino floor is decadent and rich with color

Another view of the glorious fountains; across the street is the Paris

‘The water in the Conservatory is also recycled throughout the exhibit and reused at the resort. Bellagio’s water conservation efforts are part of MGM Resorts International’s overall sustainability commitment,’ the hotel shared. 

This method of recycling keeps thousands of pounds of waste out of local landfills and turns it into something that improves the region’s soil, air and water quality.

Inspired by the beautiful villages of Europe, Bellagio Resort & Casino overlooks a Mediterranean-blue, 8 ½-acre lake in which fountains perform a magnificent aquatic ballet. 

Award-winning dining including Prime Steakhouse and The Mayfair Supper Club, a world-class art gallery, the stunning performance of ‘O’ by Cirque du Soleil, a spa and salon and shopping are there too. Bellagio is operated by MGM Resorts International.